Sarthana Police Took Rs 8 Lakh Bribe in Copyright Case: BJP MLA

Surat : Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the Umra police bribery scam in a gold smuggling case, another major allegation has surfaced against the Surat police. Senior BJP MLA from Varachha constituency, Kumar Kanani, has accused Sarthana police of accepting an Rs 8 lakh bribe in a copyright infringement case involving counterfeit cleaning products.

In a strongly worded complaint to Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot, MLA Kanani claimed that the police had engaged in systematic corruption and manipulation of evidence. He wrote, “The collection done by the police is like street goons taking installments. The policemen who took installments should be taken out in procession as per the law.” His allegations have stirred political and administrative circles, prompting the Police Commissioner to order an inquiry under DCP (Zone-1) Alok Kumar.

The Case of Counterfeit Cleaning Products

According to reports, a Mumbai-based manufacturer of phenyl and cleaning products discovered counterfeit versions of its goods being sold in the market under its brand name. Acting on a tip-off, the company collaborated with the Sarthana police and raided a factory operating under a tin shed in the name of Aarna Enterprise on Simada Road in Varachha in January 2025.

The raid led to the seizure of a large stockpile of fake phenyl, toilet cleaner, tile cleaner, dishwashing liquid, and packaging materials imitating the brand. The police arrested the alleged owner, Atul Vaju Galani, a resident of Marutidham Row House, Sarthana, and officially recorded the seizure of goods worth Rs 3.31 lakh.

Bribery Allegations and Manipulation of Evidence

However, MLA Kanani has now alleged that the actual value of the seized goods exceeded Rs 20 lakh but was deliberately undervalued on official records. He claimed that the remaining stock was secretly transported from Aarna Enterprise’s godown to Krishna Farm near Anthem Circle in five ice tempo trucks, allegedly in collusion with the police. Furthermore, the First Information Report (FIR) only named one owner, despite the factory being operated by three individuals.

Kanani’s complaint specifically implicated Sarthana police officers, stating that at the time of the raid, PI K.A. Chavda led an 8-10 member police team. It is alleged that a head constable collected Rs 8 lakh in bribe money and left in a Skoda car. Moreover, when PI Zala returned from leave, he allegedly dismissed concerns about the bribe and behaved rudely with those who raised the issue.

Police Commissioner Orders Investigation

With mounting pressure and media scrutiny, Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot has assigned DCP (Zone-1) Alok Kumar to conduct an inquiry. DCP Kumar stated, “All evidence, including documents, is being thoroughly reviewed. We will examine whether money was taken or not, and necessary action will follow based on findings.”

Kanani has urged the police to retrieve CCTV footage from around Aarna Enterprise and nearby areas such as the Meldi Mata temple on Simada Canal Road to uncover the truth.